Almost two decades of regional cooperation at TVC Summits

Monday

Apr 29, 2013 at 8:02 PM

For the last 18 years, the Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) has brought together regional and national leaders to discuss topics ranging from economic development opportunities, challenges to technology, energy, manufacturing and everything in between.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This year’s Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit, “Securing America’s Future,” will be held May 29-30 at the Y-12 National Security Complex’s New Hope Center in Oak Ridge. Hosted by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, it will focus on energy, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, innovation and entrepreneurism. Registration is now open for the event at www.TennValleyCorridor.org.

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For the last 18 years, the Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) has brought together regional and national leaders to discuss topics ranging from economic development opportunities, challenges to technology, energy, manufacturing and everything in between. This type of regional cooperation is rare, and it has largely been possible because of the ongoing support of many of the region’s top organizations in both the public and private sector, according to TVC Summit organizers.

“Not only do our region’s top organizations understand the value of working together and talking with each other to leverage opportunities, we know that convening regularly creates synergy and establishes a foundation for collaboration,” said Etta Clark, TVC board of directors chair and vice president, Global Public Affairs and Policy for Eastman Chemical Company. “The Summits give us this opportunity to rally around important regional priorities, and to hear other perspectives on topics that are vital to our regional efforts.”

Clark said that while the attitude of collaboration is vital, financial support is also necessary to keep the regional organization and the events going.

“Since this is a traveling event that moves throughout the region, we have a long list of sponsors who join us to support the event when it is in their hometown,” said Clark. “But we also have our long-time sponsors who have continued their support year after year regardless of Summit location.”

This year, the TVC launched a new financial approach — creating two options for those who want to be involved with the TVC. Organizations can choose to support the overall TVC organization and its priorities and advocacy efforts, and/or just a specific event—the TVC Summit.

“The newly established Tennessee Valley Corridor Leadership Council (TVCLC) is a year-long membership and organizations are recognized as event supporters … but, more importantly, they are part of a team that communicates throughout the year to advance important regional topics and benefit from the synergy created with the TVC,” organizers stated.

Annual TVCLC membership is offered at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. Current members include B&W Y-12, Eastman Chemical Co., Tennessee Valley Authority, the University of Tennessee, UT-Battelle, Oak Ridge Associated Universities and UCOR.

Summit event sponsorships are now available at Contributing ($5,000) and Supporting ($2,500) levels.

Sponsors to-date for the 2013 TVC National Summit in Oak Ridge include the city of Oak Ridge, EnergySolutions, University of Alabama in Huntsville, CH2MHill, East Tennessee State University, Cadre5, Pellissippi State Community College, Pro2Serve, Roane State Community College, S.M. Stoller, Tech2020 and USEC.

Membership in the TVCLC is open throughout the year, and sponsorship opportunities for the May Summit are available until May 3, 2013.

If you would like to become a member in the TVCLC or sponsor the Summit, contact Jennifer Wiggins at jwiggins@akinscrisp.com.

“Since the first TVC Summit was held in Oak Ridge in 1995, the TVC has helped link the science and technology assets in the Tennessee Valley into a nationally recognized regional economic development effort,” a release stated.

The mission of the TVC is to sustain the region’s existing federal missions, compete for new missions and to leverage public/private relationships for high quality job growth.